Apple picking in Massachusetts is a statewide activity. There are apple growers all over Massachusetts who invite apple lovers to come in and pick their own apples from the plentiful selection in their orchards.When you select where to go for optimum apple picking there are lots of things to consider. Among the variables are things like type of apples available, the size of the orchard and of course proximity to your residence. But you may want to throw another consideration into the mix. Doesn’t it make good sense to pick apples in a location that offers other recreational or tourist attractions. If you have ever gone apple picking you already know who quickly you may have accomplished your task. A wise choice of apple picking location will provide you with a quality second activity with which to extend your day.
C. N. Smith Farm, E. Bridgewater. If you want to support the New England traditional family farm by your apple picking choice, a good selection is C. N. Smith Farm in E.Bridgewater. The Smith family founded this farm in the 1920’s with only 20 acres and a crop that was primarily potatoes. Many years later, descendants of the first Smith owners determined to expand what was grown and the amount of land on which harvestable crops were produced. The result is the 90 acre farm you see today which produce a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and berries.
C. N.Smith Farm offers pick your own apples during September and October on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Their concern for their customers causes them to suggest in their advertisements that pickers call the farm first at 508-378-2270 before coming out to pick to make certain that picking options exist. Fruit grows according to its own schedule and occasionally supplies are unavailable.
An addition to this apple picking in Massachusetts opportunity, those who chose C. N. Smith farm will discover that the last two weekends in October, before Halloween, there is also the option to go for a hayride that will take you to the farms pumpkin patch where you can also pick your own pumpkins. Of course you are also welcome to pick a pumpkin from the huge collection at the C N Smith farm stand.
You can extend the enjoyment you have had at the Smith orchard with a 20 mile drive to nearby Plymouth, MA. There you can spend the remainder of your day investigating the history of the founding of the first Massachusetts Colony in Plymouth. You can visit Plymouth Rock, see recreations of the original ships that carried the Pilgrims to the new World and take a tour of “Plimouth Plantation” where life continues as it did in the early 17th century. Kids love the interaction of this attraction and its a wonderful way to extend your day when you go Apple Picking in Massachusetts.
Hilltop Orchards, Richmond, MA. Raise your hand if you live in Massachusetts but never heard of Richmond, MA . There are lots of people who are in that category, but if you are looking for great apple picking in western Massachusetts, you may find yourself face to face with Richmond, MA and Hilltop Orchards. The Orchards are only 10 minutes from the well known classical music venue “Tanglewood” in Lenox, MA .
Hilltop Orchards is an establishment in whose products you can be confident. The Hilltop Orchards in Richmond Ma were established early in the 1900’s and now offer 20 varieties of apples, plums, pears and grapes. As an added credential Hilltop is also the largest producer of apple cider in the Berkshires. The “pick your own” offer at hilltop is available from late August to late October from Friday – Sunday 11a.m. until 5 p.m. . You can add to the fun by taking part in the free hayrides offered on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
If you got your eyes opened by looking for the best apples at Hilltop Orchards for an hour or so, you may find that a great way to extend your day is to seek out a nearby Audubon wildlife sanctuary and use your vision to look for birds and wildlife. A most unusual sanctuary is Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary on West Mountain Rd. in Lenox MA. There you can get a close up view of the life of local beaver as you walk the trail along Yokun Brook you will come amazingly close to beaver lodges in the process of construction and most likely catch site of the beavers themselves. There are some seven miles of hiking trails here and a nature center. If you are apple picking in Massachusetts and you come to Hilltop Orchards use the whole day for outdoor fun by adding on a trip to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, MA .
Dowse Orchards,Sherborn,MA. About 20 minutes south of Boston is the tiny suburban community of Sherborn, MA and a very historic spot for apple picking in Massachusetts called Dowse Orchards. When you come here for your apple picking in Massachusetts you can also ponder what historic characters might have gotten and apple or two from these very orchards. Dowse has been in business since 1778 , that’s right since two years after the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Besides their historic background Dowse claims to produce “America’s best crunchin’ apples”.
You’ll only know the truth of that claim by coming to Dowse Orchards on Route 27 in Sherborn, MA. Parents of small children will be especially pleased to discover that Dowse has a special portion of it orchards planted with trees perfect for young pickers with no ladders or climbing necessary to reach the desired fruit. Dowse also has a farm stand to tempt you beyond simple apple purchases.
When you have satisfied your picking potential you will only need to travel a very short distance to the next door community of South Natick to discover Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Maintained by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Broadmoor offers hikers, nature lovers, birders and families in search of outdoor adventure all the trails they and diversity of terrain they could want in a single spot. Broadmoor is wrapped around a pleasant section of the Charles River and offers refuge to birds and wildlife that the careful hiker can often observe. There is a nature center and shop on the grounds . If you want to continue your outside time after apple picking in Massachusetts then head out to Dowse Orchards in Sherborn and then on to Broadmoor Wildlife Refuge on Rt. 16 in South Natick, MA
For some folks apple picking by itself is sufficient activity for a weekend afternoon. But for others there may be left over energy to drain. Planning your apple picking wisely means finding good apples but also finding a secondary activity close by to extend the day and the fun.
